Bruins' Matt Bartkowski files for arbitration

Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski was among 20 players who filed for arbitration Saturday afternoon. He was the only Boston player to do so.

By Dan CagenDaily News staff

Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski was among 20 players who filed for arbitration Saturday afternoon. He was the only Boston player to do so.

In his first full season in the NHL, the 26-year-old Bartkowski took the ice 64 times with 18 assists and a plus-22 rating. He played in eight playoff games and was forced into a top-four role after the season-ending injury to Dennis Seidenberg, with up-and-down results.

Bartkowski played on a one-year, $650,000 contract last season. He was extended a qualifying offer, which would be worth $715,000 if he signs it. By electing arbitration, Bartkowski — who had been a restricted free agent — can no longer accept an offer sheet from another team.

Arbitration is only for restricted free agents with at least four years of experience. Teams have until 5 p.m. Sunday to send a player to arbitration; the Bruins’ only remaining candidate for that is Tommy Cross.

Arbitration hearings will be held from July 20-Aug. 4 in Toronto. Teams can continue to negotiate with the player right up to the hearing, and deals are usually agreed upon to avoid the sticky arbitration process.